Solution on lips of Isak Swu, Th Muivah
Source: The Sangai Express

Dimapur, August 14 2011: NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and the outfit's general general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah have said that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh assured the NSCN-IM leaders that India would go the 'extra-mile and seek solution outside the box' .

They however did not elucidate on his statement.

The NSCN-IM leaders also said the Naga solution has to be based on 'unique Naga history and situation' .

However, on the darker side, Thuingaleng Muivah worries that the 'sins of the NSCN' may block the way for the earliest Naga solution though Isak Chisi said that New Delhi and NSCN-IM have agreed to arrive at an honorable political settlement in the shortest possible time.

Addressing the NSCN-IM cadres at camp Hebron, off Dimapur on Sunday during the observation of the 65th Naga Independence Day, Swu and Muivah said many differences between the NSCN-IM and New Delhi had been narrowed down.

Meanwhile, in a press communique made available to Newmai News Network by the outfit's ministry of information and publicity, Th Muivah highlighted the reality of the Indo-Naga political talks and stressed the urgency for the members of NSCN-IM to realize the necessity to make the right decision.

Isak Swu and Th Muivah addressing the NSCN cadres at Camp Hebron

Muivah brought forward the Naga history in perspective before the members by pointing out how Nagas' political issue had been treated by India beginning from Mahatma Gandhi.

"Nagas political right was fully acknowledged by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of Indian Nation when he said to the Naga delegation led by Uncle Phizo, 'Nagas have every right to be independent.

We will not force you�.', stated the NSCN-IM statement.

"Things however changed during Nehru who exercised no wisdom and patience but tried to crush the Nagas by force," said Muivah and reminded how Nehru treated the Naga issue in a despicable manner when he said 'I will not allow Nagas to be independent' .

Nehru never considered that Nagas have history and their rights.

And he took the stand to crush the Nagas within one week.

But Nehru was proved wrong and Nagas stand undefeated even after more than sixty years, the statement added.

"Where is the wisdom of Nehru", Muivah asked.

The rebel leader further pointed out that India had invested countless of money and many army generals were sent to finish the Nagas.

"But the aim to crush the Nagas was never achieved.

And a time finally came when there was realization that it was not possible to solve Naga political issue by force.

The Nagas under NSCN also took the firm stand that unless the Nagas' history and right is respected there can be no solution," the outfit's statement said quoting Muivah.

Muivah recalled those days after the signing of Indo-Naga ceasefire when political talks started NSCN's stand was made very clear to the then India's Interlocutor.

Mr Padmanabhaiah when he pointedly told to him that Nagas are not lost people and Nagas have history, and how Padmanabhaiah at last admitted the existence of Naga history.

It was during the BJP led government when the Unique Naga history and situation was given official recognition.

It was then agreed that as the Naga history is unique so the solution must also be unique.

When the Congress led UPA took over the government the same commitment was given.

"Significantly, NSCN, during the political talks with India made thing very clear that Naga history must not be subject to Indian constitution.

NSCN took this stand very firmly and stood the ground throughout.

A time comes when the Congress-led government realized that unless Naga history is respected there can be no solution.

During the meeting with India's Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh he said to Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and Gen.Secy Muivah, "Your history is unique and we appreciate it"' and he gave a very clear indication that solution will also be based on this.

He further assured that India will go 'extra-mile and seek solution outside the box", the press note claimed.

The statement then said that when RS.Pandey took over as India's new Interlocutor Muivah told him, 'If you want solution please learn to understand Nagas first and respect Naga history" .

"It does not take much time for Pandey to admit that solution must be based on unique Naga history and situation.

This also goes to show that India recognized the rights of the Nagas with regards to Integration and sovereignty.

This is the change of realization on the part of India towards Naga issue.

From the Naga's point of view NSCN have taken the firm stand that there will be no solution without integration," the outfit's press note claimed.

History has changed in favour of Nagas during the 14 years of negotiation with India.

"Your time has come and my time has come", Muivah said to the NSCN members, it added.

"Now you have to decide and take the right decision.

Don't blame Isak Swu and don't blame Muivah", Muivah stated.

"There are many reasons behind why India realizes the history and rights of the Nagas.

When the infamous Shillong Accord was signed the Governor LP.Singh announced.

The longest insurgency in Southeast Asia is solved once and for all.

But it was proved wrong and India realizes that," the statement stated while quoting Muivah.

Meanwhile, NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu said during the 14 years long negotiations they had faced many hurdles but through deep commitment and patience of both the parties they had come thus far.

"We have come to understand each other's position and difficulties in a more realistic way by narrowing down many of our differences considering the "contemporary realities and a future vision consistent with the imperatives of the 21st century", which must be appreciated by one and all," Swu said.

"For the Nagas, land, people, political principles and historical rights are inalienable.

Hence, their aspiration to live together as one people under one political roof is their inherent right.

We therefore assure our people that we will not enter into any agreement at the expense of our rights.

We also reassure the Naga people that sovereignty lies with the people and on this principle we will collectively shape our common future by taking the right decisions," the NSCN-IM chairman stated.